Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding Teacher Assessed Grades, does one teacher alone decide the grade for each subject?

Simply: no. The grade students achieve will start with their teacher’s assessment of their performance across a range of evidence. This is against a nationally-defined standard set by the exam boards, not teachers' own opinions. This assessment is then subject to both internal and external quality assurance before the final grade is awarded by the exam body as usual.

Will grades be affected by an algorithm as they were last year?

No, unlike last year, students’ grades will not be changed by a formula. The internal and external quality assurance measures will all be done by humans, not an algorithm. There is no limit on the achievement of students, providing they have evidence that they are working at that grade. 

What about the last of learning / impact of COVID?

This year, teachers will only assess students on content they have been taught – because of the continued disruption of the pandemic. This means students will not be disadvantaged if they individually, their whole class or whole year group have been unable to complete their full course. However, grades can only be submitted on the basis of the evidence we have of students’ performance, even if that evidence covers less of the course than usual. Students who would usually have access arrangements in the exams, such as extra time, will benefit from the same arrangements in teacher assessment. 

Will grades be different between different schools and colleges?

No, the standard against which teachers will be assessing students is set nationally by the exam boards. This is the standard that will be used during quality assurance and appeals to ensure consistency and fairness across the system.

What will be included in the Evidence for Grading (Baskets of Evidence)?

Teachers are able to draw on a range of assessment evidence from across a student’s study of the course, up until 28 May. This may include homework tasks, mock exams, and papers set by the exam boards. This may include evidence from before the second lockdown, as well as evidence from March – June. The exam boards are producing assessment materials that will be sent to us before Easter. Different departments may use different sources of evidence, and there is no requirement for any one type of assessment to be used – it’s about performance across a range of evidence.

The 'baskets of evidence' are here. 

How much weight will target grades carry in the evidence?

Target grades are indicators rather than being the result of assessments and cannot be part of the basket of evidence.  

Can students (candidates) and parents / carers make a case for why a student should get a higher grade?

Our teachers are using their professional expertise to assess students on the content they have been taught. Teachers are unable to submit higher grades for students unless they have the evidence that they are consistently working at this level. If teachers submit higher grades without evidence, they are committing exam malpractice.

Teachers must not be put under pressure to submit desired grades.  If students or parents are found to be putting teachers or leaders under undue pressure to increase grades, then this matter will be referred to the exam boards and an investigation into malpractice may ensue. This may result in the student’s certificate being removed entirely if malpractice is deemed to have taken place. 

Can students discuss their grades with students?

Teachers will be able to discuss which evidence they are using to inform their judgement with students, including marked or graded pieces of work. 

However, we are not allowed to disclose their final submitted grade we give to the exam board.

Students should not attempt to second-guess the grade submitted, as teachers will be using a range of evidence to inform their final judgement. Students must not pressure teachers to reveal the grades they are submitting, or to increase the grades, as doing so may be considered exam malpractice.

How robust is the Quality Assurance process?

The grades schools submit will be awarded by exam boards only if they are happy with the school or college processes, and they are inspecting these processes through random sampling of schools and other visits.

What are the chances a student (candidate) will get a higher grade if they appeal?

In most cases, highly unlikely, for all these reasons:

• A rigorous process of internal and external quality assurance will already have taken place to ensure that the grades submitted are objective, fair and accurate
• Approved Access Arrangements are being provided for those who need them
• We are publishing the baskets of evidence being used to determine grades as we are required to do; so there shouldn’t be any surprises for anyone. These will be adjusted fairly for individuals where we know there are legitimate reasons to do so; this might involve discounting or using alternative evidence, for example
• The Headteacher will submit a Declaration to each exam board to confirm that the correct processes have been followed by the school
• There could be a difference of opinion without there being an unreasonable exercise of academic judgement but JCQ says that in an appeal the reviewer will not remark individual assessments to make fine judgements but will take a holistic approach based on the overall evidence
• Appeals can lead to grades going up or down or staying the same.  Unlike last year, students won’t get the best of their teacher assessed grade and the appeal grade; an appeal risks a student ending up with a grade that is lower than the grade submitted by the school

Can I get a higher grade if my mock exam result is higher than the grade the exam board awards (the agreed TAG)?

No.  This year’s arrangements are in no way the same as last year’s. There are no grounds for appealing on the basis that a mock result was higher than the awarded grade.  Also, mocks do not represent the whole course; typically representing between 50 and 70% content coverage. 

Can you tell us the final grades that were submitted to the exam boards?

We are not permitted to tell students, parents or carers the grades we are submitting to the exam boards.